Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIN GREDC 2020/03/10 2018-2020 Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development 19th Session Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawai i March 10, 2020 CALL TO The regular meeting of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic ORDER: Development was called to order at 5:34 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Hilo, by Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair. ROLL CALL: Present: Ms. Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, Chair Ms. Susan L. K. Lee Loy, Vice Chair Mr. Aaron S. Y. Chung, Member (came in later) Ms. Maile Medeiros David, Member Mr. Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Member Ms. Valerie Poindexter, Member Mr. Herbert M. "Tim" Richards, III, Member Ms. Rebecca Villegas, Member Absent& Excused: Ms. Karen Eoff, Member STATEMENTS The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, FROM THE Statements from the Public on Agenda Items. PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS: The Chair called Eileen O'Hara, who registered to in support of Resolution 505-20 (Comm. 766) and Resolution 506-20 (Comm. 767), and came forward when called. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. Mr. Clerk, moving on to business of the day. If you could start with communications, please? COMMUNI- The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, CATIONS: Communications. Comm. 49.12: HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES' OCTOBER 28 AND NOVEMBER 25, 2019 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES; AND OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, AND DECEMBER 2019, TREASURER'S REPORT From Council Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz, dated February 20, 2020. GREDC-19 March 10,2020 Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 49.12. Seconded by Ms. David CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you so much. I wanted to provide everyone with minutes from our last few meetings. The buy did not meet until February so it took us some time to get these meeting minutes approved. But they are basically a recap of our conversation to settle on the legislative package. And, you know, throughout these meetings I've thrown out there, and maybe Ms. Poindexter can weigh in on this,just maybe doing the legislative package a little bit differently. We spend so much time putting together a package when a lot of these concepts are being lifted up in other vehicles. And so, I think at this point having gone through it myself,just like you, Ms. Poindexter, we have to look at things differently and maybe start having conversations with legislative leadership prior to session to let them know what we want as Counties and work with them to develop some bills. Many of the concepts that we have put forward, our bills aren't alive but various concepts are. And so just kind of a radical shift in maybe how we're doing business. I also wanted to share that there are updated treasurer's reports for your review. There was some back and forth with the reorganization of HSAC (Hawai`i State Association of Counties) Executive Committee leadership. And so the treasurer's position went from Maui, Honolulu, and then back to Maui. And in that time there was some breakdown in processes and just not a lot of understanding on some of the spreadsheets and processes and formulas that we had in place. And so there was a breakdown and a lot of time and effort spent by Maui and Honolulu's staff to resolve some areas and some discrepancies. And so you'll notice there is a line item on the budget related to discrepancies that they're trying to reconcile. And it has to do with checks being issued and we're just waiting for them to be cashed and then reflected in the budget. So that's summation of everything. Happy to answer any questions. Okay. Ms. Villegas. MS. VILLEGAS: This probably isn't the right time. But just as we look at HSAC and we look to this summer and us hosting the HSAC, I just wondered when we would be discussingI guess now with the COVID-19 there's also joined into the discussion whether or not it's wise to have HSAC. But beyond that, then how we get together or when we start planning that because we want to make sure that, I know for myself, I want to make sure that I know my areas of responsibility so that I can be executing on that. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Sure. And I'll speak about it a little briefly. We do talk about the conference in the minutes. So that gives us a window to provide you an update. I did have a conversation with the president of HSAC. There is a lot of concern around the coronavirus. It's the reason why he didn't attend the conference in Washington, DC for NACo (National Association of Counties). Page 2 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 The HSAC bylaws say we have to have the conference before the end of the fiscal year and that is by the end of June. He and I would like for the Executive Committee to consider potentially postponing it until we have a better handle on what our contingency plans here are locally. We certainly wouldn't want to put our County on the hook to pay for hotel venue and all that food and then no one shows up to our conference, because we've got to pay for that. So it is something what we are seriously taking a look at. The Committee meets later this month. And so, I think once there's a determination I will send out a communication to everyone just to let you know where we are. And then we can figure out how we're going to be moving forward. We're going to be hosting a conference. I just, at this point and time it's hard to say if it's going to be happening in June as we had originally planned just given this very serious virus. So thank you for asking. Seeing no other questions, all in favor to close file on Communication 49.12 please say "aye." Vote on Comm. 49.12: The motion to close file on Comm. 49.12 was carried by Filed the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—7. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Members Chung and Eoff—2. Excused: None. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Moving on to the next communication, Mr. Clerk. Comm. 659.2: REQUESTS AN UPDATE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE ADMINISTRATION'S UPCOMING PLANS AND PENDING PROJECTS From Council Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, dated February 13, 2020. Motion to Close File: Ms. Lee Loy moved to close file on Comm. 659.2. Seconded by Ms. David CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, go ahead. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Again, this is just a monthly reoccurring communication as long as we remember to put it in. So, Roy, could you come up and just give us an update on what's going on from the Mayor's Office? And we can go back with a little bit of what we need in our districts or anything that's burning on our end. Thank you. Page 3 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 (Note: At this time, Managing Director Roy Takemoto came forward and provided a PowerPoint presentation to the members of the Committee. For Viewing of the subject presentation, see the DVD copy of the meeting proceedings on file in the Clerk's Office. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation is made a part of the record, see Comm. 659.3.) MR. TAKEMOTO: So this last slide is just a list to throw it out of what we are focusing on in the next month, if you wanted to raise any discussion on this. But to open it up to any other projects or priorities you may have. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Roy. Very nice high level presentation. I want to open it up to some questions. Mr. Richards. MR. RICHARDS: Sure. I'll kick it off. Roy, thanks so much for this and I do this is what we want to have, this kind of conversation, high-level, general directions, so we kind of know the indications of the Mayor's office and where they're headed. Couple of comments on your Culture and Recreation. We're talking about the parks. Per the Mayor, per Roxcie, the number one priority as far as parks was stated as being Mahukona. And most recently I got an environmental report that we're dealing with the old pavilion, great desire to preserve the old pavilion. But I've had a community meetings that said, "Look, there's no real way to do that." We have lead contamination, and then there's a 1940's vintage pesticide in the soil near there. As it was stated being the number one priority, there is a $2.5 million CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) but unfunded at this point. Going forward, I want to move that agenda forward as it was stated by the Mayor. Is this something we can talk story about or how do we go there? MR. TAKEMOTO: Yeah. MR. RICHARDS: I like that answer. MR. TAKEMOTO: We can put it on a list so it doesn't get lost. Just like the Kealakekua Regional Park. So yes, let's dial up on that. MR. RICHARDS: Okay. So we can talk about that. Also on Summer Fun, I think everybody up here on the dais wants to support Summer Fun, because that takes care—and, you know,to your point, extended hours. I think we probably need to know what that means as far as funding. And if the administration is saying we can use some of our contingency funds to help that out,that's exactly what contingency funds are for, to help out something like this. So I'd like to know what kind of numbers we're talking about. And I assume you're talking about an island-wide boosting of Summer Fun, right? So I definitely want to hear more about that one. Page 4 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 And then on the little concern you had, you have Na`alehu Theater, and that's Maile's district. But Na`alehu Theater, I've watched that for the last 25 years sit there. I know there's a concern that's coming forth. I like the theater and I remember back in the day it was actually open. But I don't want to County to sign up for something that is going to be a no stone. So I am supportive generally but I'm concerned about what we may get into on that one. And then finally your call center, the 311 call center. A year ago I was in San Diego, and Val I think you were there with me, we went to the call center they have at San Diego and they are essentially doing this entirely. And they are open to outside contracting and have them answer for us. They are a six-floor facility that do exactly what we're talking about here. And they have the capacity, at least at that time they had the capacity to take on a little County like us. And technology, we could dial 311 and it would go there. So rather than stand something up in our County, we may be able to contract that out and be handled 24 hours a day, and be fiscally minded as we get that done. And I can talk story with you about that later. MR. TAKEMOTO: That was where? San Diego? MR. RICHARDS: San Diego County. So Val, you toured that thing, yeah, the call center? So anyway I just throw that out and we can talk about it later. So with that, Chair, I will yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thank you, Mr. Richards. Ms. Lee Loy. MS. LEE LOY: Thank you. Thank you, Roy, for being here. I was too, building off of what Mr. Richards said, about the Summer Fun, yes. You know, the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), all of that, having the information for the extended hours is actually what I would like to see. Because the problem I keep having in my district is we have a number of Summer Fun sites that are open much later than others. And so families from other districts will sign up for that particular Summer Fun because it goes to 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m., which then takes up all the slots that are available in that particular program. And the other concern I had or thought I had was some of these places offer free or reduced breakfast and lunch meals, and if we could begin to partner with the USDA (United Stated Department of Agriculture) funding for that and look for sites with co-kitchens where they can actually do sandwiches or, you know, provide meals, that would actually help a lot of our working families. And one initiative that I've been beginning to explore is maybe doing a partnership with Parks and other organizations that already do childcare, like the Y (YMCA- Young Men's Christian Association) or somebody. You know what I mean, Page 5 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 where they could be the shared resource where if they already need Summer Fun care, they have a list of students or kids and then partner them with the County. That would be a way to accelerate that. The other one I wanted to put on the radar for you because earlier today we talked about bond float for roads. And so as we begin to tie in some of the larger community economic incubator things, not only matching them up with our Mass Transit critical routes and tying them into education, but what other roads would help an area kind of economically expand if we were to provide a little bit better walking paths, you know, with the connectivity. And I'm specifically looking at Kawili Street as it relates to Banyan Drive and the Downtown Trails and Greenways project. So somehow beginning to synergize those things together, the built environment, the redevelopment partnerships, and understanding the legos that need to line up on that one. And then finally, the timing on the recovery framework. I heard you say that we want to do the recovery plan first. And that's a legislative action that changes with Chapter 7 and when we can begin to start having our conversations with the recovery plan and then fluffing that up so that the vernacular begins to line up with the recovery plan, the multi-hazard mitigation plan, and then some of the other initiatives. That way that particular section of the code is lining up a lot better and then it can get accelerated to help some of the funding that we would need for future recovery framework. Okay. I see nods. Okay. Thank you. Chair, I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Great. Thank you. Ms. Villegas, go ahead. MS. VILLEGAS: Sure. Just a quick question, because I've had a couple people—and I know it's a little bit more complicated because of the agreement with the Kohala Center. But Kahalu`u Beach Park, the facilities in the pavilions are at such a state of disrepair that you have metal rods being exposed, rusty areas. I know it's on the CIP list and they're waiting for another plan and what not. But there's extreme concern that we're going to be facing a liability issue if somebody gets hurt on something like that. And that beach park on our coastline is utilized extremely regularly by thousands and hundreds of thousands of people every year. So I just want to put that on your radar because it seems to be in this odd limbo of who's going to manage it. And there's some complications with the teardown from asbestos, or there's just a lot of issues that I've been told about. However, somethings got to change at some point or we're going to be in a dangerous situation I'm afraid. So if I could just put that on your radar to touch base with Parks and Rec. and the Kohala Center in how we can mitigate, because I'm never quite sure on how I can move the dial on that one. MR. TAKEMOTO: Just quickly on that one. There has been recent talk with Parks and Rec. on that, because the catalyst seems to be that there may be an Page 6 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 opportunity. There's an odd private lot in the middle of the park near the parking lot that kind of is awkward for us to do any improvements to the park. And there is an opportunity, I think, for us to acquire that lot. So that kind of raised the question again to relook at the entire master plan. Because the reason why I think they're kind of holding back on some of the repairs is because it's too close to the waters. So the master plan I think that exists today is pretty good. But it maybe needs to tweaked with this opportunity for the new lot and to kind of push the facilities back a little. MS. VILLEGAS: In the interim though if there's just something that can be done just to mitigate potential hazardous exposure for the County that would be great. Thank you so much, Roy. I yield. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Thanks, Ms. Villegas. Anyone else? Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Alright, Roy. Thank you very much. I appreciate this the back and forth we get with you. So thank you. I think the biggest one, I think, right now for myself and maybe everyone else is the coronavirus. Big concerns I'm hearing is Merrie Monarch still happening? Some people are saying it should not happen. It's a huge economic driver for the community, but we're starting to balance economy and health. That's what I'm seeing that seems to be a very common sentiment amongst the public and even in myself. And so, I saw an output from Mike Pence today saying that they're going to allow USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) funds to be used for Summer Fun meals. But putting that program out there in case children are not able to go to school because schools are closing down. So we're starting to see a response from the federal government a little bit more so on how we're going to fund people who need to stay home, kids are going to be at home, how are we going to feed them? And that is a big concern. So I don't know what information you have or if you're able to share information at this point. MR. TAKEMOTO: The Mayor will be addressing the Council tomorrow morning. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Okay. Thank you. And then, the CLT, where did CLT come from? The Community Land Trust, is that a new idea, is that an old? MR. TAKEMOTO: No. That's quite an old idea. But Maui I think has some. Yeah, Maui has some. And so we invited them and have been talking with the Maui nonprofit. Page 7 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: So what I've noticed is we do a lot of subsidy for rent and there's a lot of federal funding for rent, and we create long-term renters and then it doesn't forward them as people. You don't have a chance to build equity. You can't pass on a home to your kids. So the ability for this County to be able to provide homes for them to buy and purchase and have long-term equity, start building capitol in their lives, that's amazing. So if we can do that, I would push hard on that. We have a lot of homes in Puna that nobody's in. We have a huge squatting problem. So if we can put people in homes, start attacking this affordable housing deal, and get people into homes that they own. I don't know if that can be put together in one piece but that would be a very efficient way of doing and hitting multiple problems at the same time. I don't know what's entailed in the Community Land Trust but CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Roy, if I could just jump in real quick? It's a concept that you've brought forward before and it's a big part of the affordable housing resolution I put forward. We are leaning on Maui's model quite a bit. They established theirs over 10 years ago, I think right after the recession, because there was some federal funding available to kickstart that program. And the whole idea is can we provide people with that stability of home ownership and then also have a housing stock available in perpetuity. So it makes a lot of sense for our County. It's one of many solutions that we need, absolutely. And there's been a lot of proactive work on that front to make it a reality. And I think we're going to be using the recovery process as a way to kind of test it out and fine tune it for our County. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah. Because affordable housing CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Attainable housing. I think that's better. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Yeah. It's called affordable housing. But a lot of the projects that we're seeing, you can't but those homes. You can't buy them except 20 years out at the point where it's going to transition over to a home ownership ability. Whereas, I mean, in any way possible if you can put people in homes now and just get them out of just being continuous renters, that's beautiful. MS. LEE LOY: And then, Chair, if you don't mind. You know,part of that model is to keep it at an affordable rate and then build equity. But where they wouldn't be able to sell it. They would sell it at just the percentage that still meets that median income when they're selling it. So they still would build equity and go from an attainable unit to maybe a bigger unit. But then the next family would be able to come in at that affordable rate. So that's part of that larger model that's being thought through, through the recovery process and some of the other work that we're doing with the land trust, and just some other community partners as it relates to affordable housing. Page 8 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: Habitat for Humanity has a very beautiful working model that works very well and has for a long time. That was one of our past presidents that put that together. I keep saying it but it works. MR. TAKEMOTO: Yes. So quickly on the distinction between Habitat's program and the CLT. Habitat's program, you provide the sweat. And not all households can afford the time, or if it's elderly, you know, the physical capability to provide the sweat. CLT is the alternative, where they wouldn't have to put in the sweat. But what they give up is fee simple ownership. You know, sweat equity as a fee simple ownership, you gain the full length of equity. In the CLT it's like a lease. So the underlined fee owner is the trust,the Community Land Trust. The qualified home owner is a lessee. But they can still sell at a controlled equity to a qualified buyer. So it stays perpetually affordable. But they kind of sacrifice in that full buildup of equity. But if they're willing to come in under those conditions, at least there's some equity and at least it's a type of home ownership. MR. KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER: That's a nice step. They do have other programs where they just buy houses outright and they set you up in a program where you are able to buy the home, and if you want to sell it you can. But there's a soft mortgage and then there's the full mortgage. It's interesting. They have a nice breakdown. So it does exist. I'm just glad to see that it's being thought about. Thank you. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Anyone else? I don't want to belabor this and I also want to recognize that Chair Chung has rejoined us. So welcome. Thank you, Roy, for keeping us abreast of the many, many balls that you are juggling. I'm very interested in figuring out how we kind of implement the change framework within our budget. And I really like the idea of a participatory budgeting process. I think it's too late to kickoff this year. But we have this year to our advantage to kind of figure out how we get that done. I'm very happy to see that we're moving forward with the housing strategic plan. I do want to offer myself up to help with 201-H Rules. I see that as some policy refinement. And I'm really paying close attention to HB 25-42, which has a lot to do with changes to 201-H and other affordable housing issues that we're facing here in the State of Hawaii. So can you just shed like really quickly, Game Management's strategic plan? My partner is a hunter so I just want to be able to provide an update. MR. TAKEMOTO: Okay. That one is a recent revelation to me where I met with the Chair and a member of the game commission. How they described their objectives, to me, really captured the unique lifestyle of the neighbor islands and particularly the Big Island, where this lifestyle is—you live off the land, and you go hunting, and you go fishing. So the Game Management Commission is not Page 9 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 just hunting, it's also fishing. And what they expressed to me was that unlike the stereotype, the Game Commission is really concerned about conservation. So pig hunters are not a bad thing to conservation. In fact, it can be very complementary to conservation ideals where they can help control the population of pigs, et cetera without having to rely so much on fences or where fences are not the 100 percent solution. So conservation, complimentary with conservation, the lifestyle, the foot security, you know, all of that seems to be such Big Island values that I thought, "Wow, you know, we need to give this Game Management more support." So we offered to help them develop a more to put those values into words as a strategic plan and layout and some action steps and couple them better with our public access ordinance and what Planning Department is doing, so that the Game Management Commission can help prioritize with the Planning Department mountain access and shoreline access where it meets the Game Commission needs. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: So I appreciate hearing that. I mean,just the ability for folks to be able to provide these proteins, these foods for their families really contributes to the strength and resiliency of our community. I'm going to end it there. There's more I want to say but we can talk story anytime. Roy, thanks for sticking it out with us. I appreciate the update. We'll all be in touch with you. There is a motion on the floor to close file 659.2. All in favor please say "aye." Vote on Comm. 659.2: The motion to close file on Comm. 659.2 was carried by Filed the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Eoff— 1. Excused: None. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: Okay. We have two more items on the agenda. We're going to breeze through. Okay. Mr. Clerk, Resolution 505-20. ORDER OF The Chair directed the Committee to proceed to the next order of business, RESOLUTIONS: Order of Resolutions. Page 10 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 Res. 505-20: URGES THE ADMINISTRATION TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A LONG-TERM PLAN WITH THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO IMPROVE THE HIGHWAY 11 CORRIDOR IN KEA`AU Seeks a long-term plan with improvements to align with the Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries, through better traffic engineering. Reference: Comm. 766 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder Motion to Approve: Ms. Poindexter moved to recommend adoption of Res. 505-20. Seconded by Ms. Villegas. Vote on Motion Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to postpone Res. 505-20 to Postpone: to March 24, 2020. Seconded by Ms. Villegas and (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Eoff— 1. Excused: None. Res. 506-20: URGES THE MAYOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC OWRKS TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITHT EH U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR REVIEW TO MITIGATE SURFACE WATER IN PUNA The surface water mitigation plan would identify areas prone to flooding and hazardous conditions, and would be reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Reference: Comm. 767 Intr. by: Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder Motion to Approve: Ms. Lee Loy moved to recommend adoption of Res. 506-20. Seconded by Ms. David. Page 11 i 3 GREDC-19 March 10,2020 Vote on Motion Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder moved to postpone Res. 506-20 to Postpone: to March 24, 2020. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and (Approved) carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz—8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Eoff— 1. Excused: None. ADJOURN- There being no further business, at 6:30 p.m., Mr. Richards moved to adjourn MENT: the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Lee Loy and carried by the following voice vote: Ayes: Committee Members Chung, David, Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, Lee Loy, Poindexter, Richards, Villegas, and Chair Kierkiewicz— 8. Noes: None. Absent: Committee Member Eoff— 1. Excused: None. CHR KIERKIEWICZ: We are adjourned at 6:30 p.m. Thank you and good night. Approved: Ms. shley Kierkiewicz, Chair (Date) Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee AK1tk Page 12